A new initiative in Moray is using sport and physical activity to support people with mental health or addiction difficulties.
Active Recovery Moray is a partnership between Moray Community Sport Hubs, Elgin Sport and Community Trust, Police Scotland, and Arrows – a Quarriers service providing support for individuals and families affected by drugs and alcohol throughout Moray.
Sport and physical activity has a wide range of benefits in supporting physical health and overall wellbeing. On top of regular, free-to-access sporting opportunities, Active Recovery Moray aims to be a platform for participants to develop social inclusion, enhance their life skills, socialise with new people, build confidence and enhance future employment opportunities.
Moray Community Sports Hub Development Officer, Dimitris Chrysanthakopoulos said: “Active Recovery Moray aims to develop social inclusion, and enhanced life skills and opportunities to its participants. We believe that sport can play a significant role in shaping our participants’ broader development beyond sport specific skills and offers a valuable learning experience.
“Life skills such as goal setting, emotional control, hard work ethic and teamwork can be facilitated or developed in sport and transferred for use in non-sport settings.”
Scott Brander, a Police Sergeant in Elgin, said: “The aim of the project is to work collectively to support recovery through exercise and participation in sports, offering not only healthier choices but also social benefits and hopefully opportunities for further skills development.
Initial funding from Arrows, Police Scotland and Moray Community Sport Hubs has allowed the project to run a free football session every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm at the Gleaner Arena in Elgin. The sessions are a safe place for participants to come and meet other people going through similar difficulties within their lives.
Each session is supported by a member of the Arrows drug and alcohol support team as well as a local police officer, who has gone through the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) training allowing them to hold informed mental health conversations and support the participants.
Between 12-15 participants attend every week with over 30 attending at least one session since the programme began at the end of May. A survey was created to capture the impact of the sessions on the mental wellbeing of our participants. The results showed that 37% of participants experienced an increase in their mental wellbeing within 6 weeks of regularly attending the sessions.
It’s hoped once fully established, that a partnership with Moray Employability Forum will be established to provide support with employability. A further session on Friday’s is also in the pipeline, aimed at supporting older children impacted by addiction and mental health problems. There is also the hope that other sports within the Moray community sports hubs will support the initiative.
What they said
Stuart, a participant at the sessions said:
“The football sessions have helped me improve my teamwork and communication skills.
"Also, I like the safe and stress-free environment that’s been created, it helps me clear my mind.”
Meanwhile Connor, another participant who attends the sessions said: “When I first attended I was insecure about myself. Now after a few months I feel healthier, and my stamina has significantly improved. Also, I’m more confident talking to people. Overall, these football sessions have helped me improve my morale.”
Find out more
- Learn more about community sport hubs
- Find out more about the community sport hubs in Moray
- Learn more about Arrows
- If you need support with your mental health visit SAMH
